A Clatter of Jars

A singularly talented narrator, Ellen Archer, presents this deftly woven magical story set in a world in which people possess special talents. These range from the mundane, such as the ability to understand frogs, to the powerful, such as telekinesis. At Camp Atropos for Singular Talents, Cabin Eight's inhabitants grapple with family secrets, heartache, and the devious intent of a crooked camp director. Archer portrays the shifting perspectives of Lily, Chuck, Remy, and other young campers, as well as recurring singularities such as the language of frogs, the beautiful tones of a magical harmonica, the rich notes of a melancholy Spanish lullaby, and the stilted speech of a unique boy. Keep a pen handy to jot down the magical drink recipes! L.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

February 22, 2016
In this warmhearted companion to A Tangle of Knots (2013), Graff revisits a world divided by those with magical “Talents” and those without, and the inevitable strain it places on relationships. Camp Atropos plays host to children with a variety of peculiar and impressive Talents, from communicating with frogs to levitating. A typical summer session involves swimming in the lake, a camp-wide sleepover, and a Talent show, but this isn’t a typical summer: someone has the ability to mimic and steal campers’ Talents. Graff reprises several elements from the previous book—narration that rotates among several protagonists, as well as a handful of recipes (summery beverages instead of cakes). Her ensemble cast consists of characters struggling with sibling-related troubles: Jo, a misguided camp director desperate to reunite with her estranged sister; Lily, a telekinetic “Pinnacle” who misses her brother; Renny, a brother hiding a family secret; and Chuck, a twin desperate to discover her own uniqueness. As Talents get stolen and swapped, the story can get a bit muddled, but Graff brings the plot threads to a satisfying resolution. Ages 8–12. Agent: Stephen Barbara, Inkwell Management.